Forum - View topicYoko Kanno's musical process?
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totalgeek
Posts: 307 Location: Raleigh, NC |
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I was just wondering if anyone knew anything about how Yoko Kanno goes about creating her music. Specifically, all the songs that she composes that have English/Russian/Italian/Spanish lyrics.
I read an interview with her where she commented that she can only barely speak English, so obviously she isn't writing the lyrics to these songs. But, does she tell the people who do write the lyrics to write a song about specific topics? Does she give them a general idea of what the lyrics should be? Thanks for your help. |
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Cloe
Moderator
 Posts: 2728 Location: Los Angeles, CA |
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As far as music composition goes, Yoko Kanno arranges everything she composes (and, in cases like "Cradle Song," even conducts the orchestra), so she has full control over the sound of the piece from conception to finish (save lyrics, which you inquired about). The person who writes the majority of Kanno's English lyrics is Tim Jensen. I don't know much about him except his name, which shows up often in Kanno soundtracks. He first started writing lyrics for Kanno on Song to Fly and he's been a part of her music ever since. (The songs Steve Conte sings always have Tim Jensen lyrics.) Since he's worked with her for such a long time, I would assume that they understand each other's preferences. She probably has a theme she wants to pursue with the lyrics and he expands on that. This is speculation, though. Perhaps he writes the lyrics all from scratch. I think that's unlikely, though. The person who most often writes Japanese lyrics is Yuuho Iwasato, who's worked with Kanno since Escaflowne. The majority of Kanno's other lyrics, including the nonsensical European-inspired languages, is created by Gabriella Robin, who is suspect to be Kanno herself under alias. Also, it seems that other singers for Kanno's music (Joyce, Ilaria Graziano, Raj Ramayya, and Mai Yamane) often write their own lyrics. Perhaps Kanno encourages this, so the singers can infuse more emotion into their performances, since the lyrics are personal to them.
For more information about Kanno collaborations you can visit either The Yoko Kanno Database or The Yoko Kanno Project. I know I've offered mostly offered nothing but speculation, but I hope I've been at least some help nonetheless. |
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totalgeek
Posts: 307 Location: Raleigh, NC |
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Yeah, that was pretty informative, overall. I was hoping for a little more information about how much say Yoko Kanno has in deciding the lyrics for the songs. Perhaps if I check out the links you provided I'll get a better understanding.
Thanks. |
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